Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Nov. 2, 2022

The steamboat Nettie Quill. 

82 YEARS AGO
NOV. 7, 1940

Josiah Showell Robins, son of Col. Jo Robbins and Sarah Gregg Robins, exchanged this earthly abode for his Heavenly Home Monday, Oct. 28, 1940, age 76, at St. Martin’s Plantation, near Catherine, Ala.
He was born at Canton Bend, Ala., his entire life being spent in Wilcox County. He was reared in a devout Christian home, received his education in the public schools and collegiate training at Due West, S.C.
Josiah Robins was married to beautiful Coarlie Williams, Oct. 28, 1885. This ideal union was of short duration, for she was called to her reward one year later, leaving the young husband and a little daughter, Coralie Williams Robins, who survives her father as Mrs. W.R. Carothers. Her six fine sons were the imposing escort at the last rites for their grandfather.
His second marriage was to Miss Katie McLaughin of Lower Peach Tree, who also preceded him to the grave a number of years ago.
The last service was impressively conducted in the family residence at St. Martin’s Plantation by Rev. A.T. Ellsberry, Rev. R.C. Kennedy and Rev. W.R. Carothers. Many sorrowing relatives and friends were in attendance as his remains were taken to the beautiful family lot at Lower Peach Tree, where his distinguished ancestors have rested beneath the stately trees for six generations.
There is no citizen of Wilcox County that will be more sorely missed that the chivalrous, generous, unselfish gentleman, “Joe Robins.” His loyalty and unselfish spirit had won for him many friends in all walks of life.

92 YEARS AGO
NOV. 6, 1930

Greenville Wins From Camden 18-6: The reserves from the Butler County High School at Greenville won from the hard-fighting Camdenites last Friday by a score of 18-6. The boys claim that a number of the first-string players were used against them every time they threatened a score. With over 50 players in uniform, Buther High has a wealth of football material and produces strong teams. It speaks well for the Camden boys to be able to make as good a showing as they did against the Greenville boys.

Beatrice Last Football Game: On next Friday, the Camden team journeys down to Beatrice to meet the Beatrice players in the last game on the locals’ schedule. Last year Camden won its only game from Beatrice, 20-0. This year, the Beatrice team is pointing for the Camden team. They claim that they are going to upset the hope by licking Camden this year. Comparative scores gives Camden the edge. Beatrice played Pine Apple a tie game at 0-0 while Camden won from Pine Apple 20-0. Camden should win by about the same score from Beatrice unless overconfidence on the part of the team causes an upset as overconfidence often does.

Boy Scouts, Troop 26: Meeting, Oct. 31. We had the Scout oath, then practiced the Scout drill. The Senior Patrol presented prizes to the two patrols. We went down to the golf course and played a game. We then thanked Mrs. Hicks. We were dismissed by Malcolm Stuart. We scouts then celebrated Halloween. We adjourned to meet Nov. 7, 1930. – Edward Morris, Scribe.

101 YEARS AGO
NOV. 3, 1921

DEATH OF MISS KATE RATCLIFF: Miss Kate Ratcliff, died last Friday morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Cobb, aged 88 years. The deceased was born in Canton Bend at the Ratcliff homestead and had lived there as a county pioneer almost all of her life. Her brothers were Daniel and John Ratcliff, and her sisters were Mary Ann and Addie, and a Mrs. McLean. The family came from South Carolina and located at Canton, then the Wilcox County Seat, before its removal to Camden. Her brothers were Confederate soldiers, and one of them, John, died from the effects of a bullet received in the Civil War. The burial was at the McLean & Ratcliff Cemetery at Canton Bend.

Camden and Coy played football Friday evening at Camden. Camden won the game.

Tom Neville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Neville, had the misfortune to lose some of his front teeth, while playing football.

We regret to note that Victor Sanders, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Sanders, had the misfortune of breaking his arm while playing football.

A number of Camden people were in Selma Friday evening to attend the play, “The Bat,” at the Academy of Music.

Miss Mary Alma Stanford, Wilcox County Queen to the Birmingham Centennial, left Camden Monday morning via Montgomery, where she will be joined by a party of Women’s College friends.

111 YEARS AGO
NOV. 2, 1911

Dale Lodge will meet next Friday night at 7:30 o’clock. Visiting brethren are cordially invited.

Tax collector VanDeVoort and Assessor McClurkin are now at the courthouse, having finished their county rounds.

The Wilcox County High School now has an enrollment of 60 pupils. A considerable number are from points in the county. More than 100 are enrolled at the Grammar School.

The Camden Charter Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, are raising the necessary funds for a scholarship at the Wilcox County High School for some Confederate soldier’s child or grandchild. To aid in this worthy cause, they served elegant turkey, squirrel and oyster dinners last Tuesday and Wednesday and realized a nice large sum. The dinners were fine.

Dr. and Mrs. J. Heustis Jones are the happy parents of a fine baby boy. Many congratulations have been extended to them.

Mr. Ed Pettus of Selma is attending upon court here this week.

Mr. J.F. Harris of Rock West has joined the automobile brigade and has a fine Buick car.

Mrs. W.B. Reynolds and children and her mother, Mrs. A.L. Peak, and little Mollie Beck Jenkins attended the Fair in Selma.

The Selma fair was well attended by many of our county folks, and they all speak in the highest terms of its great success.

121 YEARS AGO
NOV. 7, 1901

There are disadvantages as well as advantages in being a railroad town. Camden felt one of the evils last week in the coming of a swide circus with its attendant bands of gamblers and thieves.

FOR SALE – Ten thousand old papers. Call at The Progressive Era office.

Circuit Court convenes on the 18^th inst.

The ladies of the Methodist Church ran a lunch counter the day of the circus and realized a nice little sum.

Col. W.F. Spurlin celebrated his 77^th birthday on last Monday. We hope he may be spared to celebrate many more.

The Knights of Pythias held a regular convention of the Lodge Monday night at which the rank of Page was conferred on Dr. Winston B. Jones.

Hon. J.N. Miller and Miss Nellie Tucker were married in Mobile on yesterday. We hope to have an extended account of the interesting event in our next issue.

Snow Hill is on something of a building boom. New livery stables, new depot buildings and Dr. J. Heustis Jones’ new office will add greatly to the looks of the growing little city.

The Nettie Quill – John Quill, Master – H.C. King, Clerk – Leaves Mobile Tuesday evening at 5 o’clock, passing Burford’s, Yellow Jacket, Ellis and Bridgeport Landings Thursday, reaching Selma Friday morning. Leaves Selma Saturday noon and pass Bridgeport, Ellis, Yellow Jacket and Burford’s Landings Saturday night, reaching Mobile Monday morning.